Mail-bag



(No Model.) 2 sheets-sheet 1.

0,. P. TATRO. MAIL BAG.

No. 440,932. Patented Nov. 18, 1890.

\\- I/ i Wn'NEssxs.-r INVENTOR:

WMM Ww M j/E 2 Sheets-Sheet 2.

(No Model.)

C. P. TATRO.-

MAIL BAG.

No. 440,932. Patented Nov. 18, 1890.

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WITNEssEs;

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CHARLES P. TATRO, OF SPOKANE FALLS, VASHINGTON.

MAIL-BAG.

SPECIFICATION forming part of Letters Patent No. 440,932, dated November 18, 1890.

Application iiled May 16, 1889. Renewed September 30, 1890. Serial BT03661619. (No model.)

To il whom it may concern:

Be it known that I, CHARLES P. TATRO, of Spokane Falls, in the county of Spokane and State of Washington, have invented certain new and useful Improvements in MaiLBags, of which the following is a specification, reference being had to the accompanying drawings, and to the letters of reference marked thereon.

The object of my invention is to improve the fastening devices for mail-bags, whereby they are rendered dust-proof and practically water-proof; and my invention consistsin the several details of construction and arrangement, as will be hereinafter fully set forth.

In the drawings, Figure l is an elevation of a portion of a closed mail-bag having my improved fastening device applied thereto. Fig. 2 is a top View showing the bag open. Fig. 3 is an elevation showing the bag open. Fig. 4: is a section through the line ma, Fig. l. Figs. 5, 6, and '7 are detached details.

Similar letters of reference indicate similar parts in the several figures.

A represents the bag.

B, B', B2, and B3 are the side plates, made, preferably, of malleable steel. These plates are hinged together, as shown at b, b', h2, and h3, the hinges b and h2 being so arranged that when the bag is closed the plates B and B3 and the plates B and B2, respectively, will form two straight sides and be maintained in that relation. In other words, the hinges h and b2 only allow the plates to turn thereon in one direction until the plates form a straight line. The hinges h and h3 are also so arranged as to allow the plates B and B and B2 and B3, respectively, to turn thereon when the bag is opened until the four plates assume the form ofa square. The bag can then be suspended by one of the handles a, and will remain open asV long as desired The plates B and B2 are provided on their upper edge with lips or flanges C C', which may be cast integral with the plates or riveted to them, as preferred. The ends c c of these plates are beveled, as shown, and when the bag is closed these beveled ends overlap each other and form a close joint midway of the width of the bag, thereby forming practically a continuous plate, covering the top edges of the sides formed by the plates B and B3 and B and B2, respectively. This construction effectually excludes dust, which would otherwise have a tendency to enter the bag between the sides formed of the plates, as aforesaid. The lips C C also serve to brace or stiffen the fastening devices sidewise.

The plates B and B2 are provided on their inner sides with projecting pins D D, each having a circumferential groove d, and the plates B B3 are provided with holes D D', through which the pinsD D pass when the bag is closed.

E E are locking-plates having elongated holes e e, through which the headed pins c pass, the said pins being iirmly secured in the plates B and B3. The plates E are therefore attached to the plates B and B3, but free to have longitudinal movement limited by the pins e in the elongated holes e. The top edges of the plates E E and B B3 are flush. The plates E are furnished at their inner ends with lugs F, projecting outwardly from the face of the plates and also extending beyond the ends thereof so as to overlap, they being also so arranged as to be one above the other. These lugs have holes f, which,when the bag is closed and the fastening devices are in position,will register, and through which the hasp of the lock F passes. The plates E are also provided with key-shaped openings e2, which register with the holes D D and through which tli'e ends of the pins DD pass, and when the bag is to be closed and locked the narrow portion of these openings will engage the circumferential grooves d on the pins D, and thereby lock the two sides B B3 and B B2 together, and when the lock F is in the lugs F it will be seen that the plates E cannot be moved longitudinally, and therefore the bag will be securely closed and locked.

In order to move the locking-plates longi tudinally, I pivot the crank-levers G G on the plates B and B3. The long arms of said levers are provided with thumb-pieces g for operating them with greater facility. The short arms are rounded at their ends and indented at one side, as indicated at g. These short arms tit in recesses II in the plates E, said recesses being semicircular at their upper ends to conform to the shape of the ends of the short arms. Each plate is cut away,

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as shown at h, to enable it to move longitudinally When the long arm of the lever is pulled down, as shown in Fig. 3.

To the top surface of one of the flanges G C is secured a tag-holder for the reception of a tag to indicate the destination of the mail-bag.

The bag is secured to the fastening devices by means of rivets t', which pass through the side plates, the bag, and staying-pieces I.

From the foregoing description the operation of the fastening devices will be readily understood.

Having described my invention, I claiml. In a mail-bag, the combination, with the quadrangular jointed frame, of sliding and locking bars having angular projections, a bag, and a locking device, substantially as specified.

2. The combination, in a mail-bag, of a quadrangular jointed frame, the adjustable or sliding bars provided with perforated protuberances located in close relation to one of the joints of said frame, the headed pins adapted to engage with said sliding bars, and a locking device applied to said protuberances, substantially as speciiied.

3. Ina fastening device for mail-bags, four side plates hinged together, as described, two of said plates being provided With openings,

and projecting pins on the other tWo plates' adapted to pass through said openings, said pins having a circumferential groove near their ends, combined with two independent oppositely-movin g locking-plates attached to the side plates (having the openings) by a sliding connection, said locking-plates being provided with key-shaped openings whichI register with the openings in the side plates and through which the pins pass, substantially as and for the purpose specified.

4. In a fastening device for mail-bags, four side pieces hinged together, as described, two

of said plates having openings through which pins on the other two plates pass when the bag is closed, said pins having each a circumferential groove near its end, combined with two independent oppositely moving locking-plates attached to the side plates (having openings) by a sliding connection, said locking-plates having key-shaped openings which register with the openings in the side plates and through Which the said pins pass, and lugs projecting from said lockingplates at theirinn er en ds and overlapping each other, said lugs being provided with holes for the reception of the hasp of a lock, substantially as and for the purpose specified.

5. In a fastening device for mail-bags, the combination, with the side plates and two locking-plates attached thereto by a sliding connection, of levers pivoted on said side plates and engaging the locking-plates to operate them, substantially as specified.

6. In a fastening device for mail-bags, the combination, with the side plates and two locking-plates attached thereto by a sliding connection, of erank-levers pivoted on said side plates, the short arms of said levers engaging the locking-plates to operate them, substantially as specified.

7. In a fastening device for mail-bags, the combination, with the side plates and two locking-plates attached thereto by a sliding connection, each of said locking-plates being provided near its inner end with a recess, of crank-levers pivoted on said side plates, the short arms of said levers engaging the recesses in the locking-plates, substantially as specified.

Witness my hand and seal this 3d day of May, 1889.

CHARLES P. TATRO. [n s] lVitnesses:

W. W. D. TURNER, WM. P. TURNER. 

